DATEBOOK | Events for San Diego

“Writing Sci-Fi: Creating That Alternate Reality,” 5 to 7 p.m. each Thursday through Sept. 2 at The Ink Spot, 710 13th St., downtown. San Diego Writers, Ink. Drusilla Campbell will lead students in creating science-fiction works. Cost is $150 for members and $180 for nonmembers. Information: (858) 334-5191 or sandiegowriters.org.

Meeting, 6:30 p.m. today in the friendship hall at University Christian Church, 3900 Cleveland Ave., Hillcrest. National Alliance on Mential Illness San Diego. This is the monthly education and advocacy meeting. Information: (800) 523-5933 or namisandiego.org.

Meeting, 6:30 p.m. today at the Joyce Beers Community Center, Vermont Street, between Cleveland and 10th avenues, Hillcrest. Sisters In Crime. Homicide detectives from the Cold Case Unit of the San Diego Police Department will speak to the writers’ group. Information: sincsd.org.

Seminar, noon to 1 p.m. today at the San Diego County Law Library, 1105 Front St., downtown. “Short Sales & Other Options to Avoid Foreclosure” with Gary M. Laturno, Esq. Free for library members and $5 for nonmembers. Registration requested. Information: (619) 531-3900.

Jazz concert, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Anthology, 1337 India St., Little Italy. Music for the Mind concert series by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Joyce Cooling will perform. Tickets are $7 to $32. Information: (619) 595-0300 or joycecooling.com.

Concert, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Trolley Barn Park, Adams Avenue and Florida Street, University Heights. Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra will play boogie woogie and swing. This is the final concert in this series. Information: (619) 297-3166.

Theater performance, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 29 at Community Actors Theatre, 2957 54th St., Oak Park. “Here I Am” by Floyd Alexander is a one-act play featuring seven women from classic literature and history. Cost is $14 general admission and $12 for seniors, students, military and the disabled. Information: (619) 264-3391 or communityactorstheatre.com.

“Getting Into Character,” 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at The Ink Spot, 710 13th St., downtown. San Diego Writers, Ink. Midge Raymond will teach students how best to bring characters to life. Cost is $53 for members and $65 for nonmembers. Information: (858) 334-5191 or sandiegowriters.org.

Art show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday at 2301½ Shelter Island Drive, Point Loma. A variety of media on display on the lawn near the traffic circle. Free. Information: (619) 265-8515 or shelterislandart.com.